October 2006 Babies: Our Little Ones Are Arriving

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/6628/glitteryourwayd13040feah2.gif

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/5716/glitteryourwaycb4675acod5.gif

http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/5351/glitteryourway5db4e98abm1.gif

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/598/glitteryourway8c92d75457f185e3ab0d04eaff7c0b8ahd2. gif 4 Boys, 1 Girl

1st (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=14860): Months 1-3 (1-13 weeks); 2nd (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=17630): Months 4-6 (14-26 weeks); 3rd (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=20438): Months 7-9 (27-40 weeks)
1st few months (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26083)


Threadmistresses: Ericka_Jarett and Michelle. Any questions or problems, pm: Oct06moms. Thanks

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

bunnybeth - Bethany, 28
DH: Elon, 28
Married: June 23, 2002
Due Date: October 25, 2006
NAME: Simon Maclaine
BIRTHDAY: November 1, 2006 @ 7:45pm
Weight: 8lbs, 2oz
Length: 21 1/2 inches
Simon (http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/cY2cW7qp)
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Bubeleh - H, 28
DH: A, 30
Married: March, 2003
Due Date: October 1, 2006
NAME: Ethan Asher
BIRTHDAY: September 25, 206 @ 3:41pm
Weight: 7lbs, 9oz.
Length: 21 inches
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dzmattie - Becca, 28
DH: 28
Married: 2002
Any other children: DS, 1/15/04
Due Date: October 14, 2006
GENDER: DD
BIRTHDAY: September 19th
Weight: 6 lbs
Length: 18.5 inches
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emermel - Emily 28
DH: Todd 30
Married May 12, 2002
DD: January 17, 2004
Due Date:October 14, 2006
NAME: Madeline Samantha
BIRTHDAY: October 16, 2006 @ 3:03pm
Weight: 7lbs, 15oz
Length: 19 1/2 inches
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Ericka_Jarett - Ericka, 32
DH: Jarett, 28
Married: December 14, 2001
Other children: Rebekah Joy, born April 18, 2005 at 24 weeks, with us 71 mins.
Due Date: October 4, 2006
NAME: Easton Robert
BIRTHDAY: September 5, 2006 @ 7:27pm @35w 6d
Weight: 5lbs, 6oz
Length: 19 inches
1 hour old & 2 1/2 weeks & 7 1/2 weeks
http://order.ducklingphoto.com/photos/93282540-S.jpghttp://order.ducklingphoto.com/photos/97220930-S-1.jpghttp://order.ducklingphoto.com/photos/105959798-S.jpg
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(mystery baby)
Hmdelf - Heather, 33
DH: Ed, 29
Married: October 11, 2003
Any other children: S, December 25, 2004
Due Date: October 18, 2006
NAME: Connor Dalton L.
BIRTHDAY: October 18, 2006 @ 12:58pm
Weight: 8lbs, 6oz
Length: 21 inches
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Hula1974 - Heather
DH: Tim
Married: June 2, 2002
Due Date: September 29, 2006
NAME: Clayton Travis
BIRTHDAY: September 12, 2006 @ 3:00pm
Weight: 8lbs, 2.5oz
Length: 21 inches
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(mystery baby)
jbemommy - Shana, 33
DH: Doug, 41
Married: June 22, 2002
Any other children: Juliana, 2/3/04
Due Date: October 4, 2006
NAME: Steven Douglas, Jr
BIRTHDAY: September 16, 2006 @ 12:05am
Weight: 6lbs, 13oz
Length: 20.5 inches

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

jenniferlynne - Jennifer, 33
DH: Roger, 34
Married: June 8, 2002
Any other children: Will, born 4/24/04
Due Date: October 26, 2006
NAME: DD
BIRTHDAY: October 12, 2006 @ 5:16pm
Weight: 7lbs, 15oz
Length: 20 1/2 inches
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Jenzen01 - Jen, 29
DH: Al, 38
Married: October 4, 2003
Any other children: Gabriel (Gabe) 12.21.2004
Due Date: October 16, 2006
NAME: Ada Grace
BIRTHDAY: October 17, 2006@ 6:00am
Weight: 9lbs, 7.5oz
Length: 21 inches
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kenswife - Emily
DH: Ken
Married: February 3, 2004
Any other children: A & I
Due Date: October 7, 2006
NAME: Ty
BIRTHDAY: September 26, 2006 @ 7:52am
Weight: 7lbs, 5oz
Length: 20.75 inches
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KimberDK - Kimber, 32
DH: Dan, 33
Married: July 15, 2004
Due Date: October 12, 2006
NAME: Mia London
BIRTHDAY: October 8, 2006 @ 1:38
Weight: 6lbs, 9oz
Length: 19 3/4 inches
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KMM - Kellie, 30
DH: Dan, 30
Married: April 19, 2003
Other children: Dylan - August 29, 2003
Due Date: October 2, 2006
NAME: Allison Judith
BIRTHDAY: October 5, 2006 @ 3:09pm
Weight: 10lbs, 3oz
Length: 21 inches
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lawgirl4 - Ericka, 31
DH: Rob, 36
Married: July 6, 2003
Due Date: October 12, 2006
NAME: DD
BIRTHDAY: October 19, 206 @10:32pm
Weight: 7lbs, 8oz
Length: 21 1/2 inches
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Lily - Erica, 27
DH: 34
Married: September 13, 2003
1st Due Date: October 4, 2006
2nd Due Date: September 26, 2006
NAME: Mahayla Simone (pronounced like MaKayla)
BIRTHDAY: September 25, 2006 @ 11:30am
Weight: 7lbs 2 oz
Length: 19 inches
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid216/pbd9f337fd1b84c951044d269fd13a101/ecaac874.jpg
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Lydia - Lydia, 28
DH: Matt, 28
Married: April 13, 2002
Any other children: Beautiful baby girl named Madison, April 24, 2005
Due Date: November 2, 2006
Name: Mason Francis
BIRTHDAY: October 19, 2006
Weight: 7lb 9oz
Length:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mamabear - Sara, 33
DH: David, 35
Married: 5/31/2003
Any other children:Alexander, 2/6/04
Due Date: October 15, 2006
NAME: Brendan Dacx
BIRTHDAY: September 17, 2006 @ 6:04pm
Weight: 5lbs, 9oz
Length: 18 inches

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

maplekitty - Sarah, 25
DH: Curt, 28
Married: August 27, 2005
Due Date: October 6, 2006
NAME: Robyn Abigail
BIRTHDAY: October 5, 2006 @ 12:15am
Weight: 7lbs, 15 oz
Length: 19 inches
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid216/p8e435bf139a9b15e2791b974bcc33c6e/eca483a1.jpg
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(mystery baby)
marathongirl - Sue, 32
DH: Tim, 33
Married: December 1, 2001
Other children: Claire Sophia 09/16/04
Due Date: October 1, 2006
NAME: James David
BIRTHDAY: October 5, 206 @ 2:19 pm
Weight: 7 lbs
Length: 20 inches
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Maxicat - Kim, 37
DH: 45
Married: May 11, 2002
Due Date: October 20, 2006
NAME: Lauren
BIRTHDAY:October 16, 2006 @ 1:01pm
Weight: 6lbs, 3oz
Length: 19 inches
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Michelle - Michelle, 28
DH: Matt, 28
Married: August 30, 2003
Due Date: October 13, 2006
NAME: Madison Michelle
BIRTHDAY: October 22, 2006 @3:40pm
Weight: 8lbs, 8oz
Length: 20 inches
http://static.flickr.com/107/280649861_855d9bff12_m.jpg

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MichelleRenee - Michelle, 24
DH: Michael, 30
Married: May 29, 2005
Due Date: October 27, 2006
NAME: Tristan Michael
BIRTHDAY: October 27, 2006 @6:37pm
Weight: 7lbs, 8oz
Length: 20 inches
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/AngelyWangely/Tristan%20Michael/DSC00649.jpg
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MidwesternGal - Amy, 25
DH: Nate, 24
Married: January 10, 2004
Due Date: October 7, 2006
NAME: Benjamin EugeneLee
BIRTHDAY: October 14, 2006@ 11:31pm
Weight: 8lbs, 14oz
Length: 22 inches
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q3/october2006moms/MidwesternGal/October14-Benjamin.jpg

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

Mommy2ml - Rebecca, 29
DH: Rob, 28
Married: August 5, 2001
Any other children: Mackenzie 1/12/2003
Due Date: October 5, 2006
NAME: Logan Henry
BIRTHDAY: September 25, 2006 @7:17pm
Weight: 6lbs, 5oz
Length: 19 inches
http://pics.livejournal.com/mama_of_mackie/pic/0000rww4/s320x320.jpg
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(mystery baby)
Mrs-Mac - D, 29
DH: M, 32
Married: October 5, 2002
Due Date: October 23, 2006
NAME: Grace Elizabeth
BIRTHDAY: October 14, 2006
Weight: 7 lbs
Length: 20 inches
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nigellas - Kerry, 29
DH: Chris, 30
Married: August 7, 2001
Due Date: October 24, 2006
NAME: Alexander Donald
BIRTHDAY: September 20, 2006
Weight: 5 lbs, 7 oz
Length: 19 inches
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/nigellas/alex002.jpg
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Pamela - Pamela, 26
DH: 26
Married: June 13, 2004
Due Date: October 4, 2006
NAME: DD
BIRTHDAY: September 19th at 9:16am @ 37weeks 6days
Weight: 5lbs 10oz
Length: 19 inches
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PinkMartini - Summer, 24
DH: Jeremy, 33
Married: June 17, 2006
Due Date: October 17, 2006
NAME: Jacob Michael
BIRTHDAY: October 19, 004 @3:44am
Weight: 8bs, 12oz
Length: 22 1/2 inches
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/PinkMartini/Jacob1012.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/PinkMartini/Baby005.jpg
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(mystery baby)
quartercentury - QC, 27
FH: 27
Married: not yet; together since Xmas 2000, engaged since June 2005
Due Date: October 21, 2006
NAME: DS
BIRTHDAY: October 31, 2006
Weight: 7lbs 15oz
Length: 21"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/quartercentury/Pumpkin%20Baby/Jude1.jpg

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

Rippy1010 - Ally, 29
DH: Jeff, 30
Married: July 23, 2005
Due Date: October 1, 2006
NAME: Logan Anthony
BIRTHDAY: September 24, 2006
Weight: 7lbs 13oz
Length: 21 inches
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/pbdf4e2f88dfa1378faf21db500d88e97/eccadeed.jpg
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Roxygirl - Marissa, 27
DH: R, 26
Married: July 10th, 2004
Due Date: October 9, 2006
NAME: Kendall Renne
BIRTHDAY: October 9th, 2006 @ 6:57 am
Weight: 8lbs 14oz
Length: 20 1/2 inches
http://www.cmphotocenter.com/is/ImageServer.psp?Cmd=RenderImage&width=300&height=400&I=img10%3A%2F%2F67679%2FIMG_2254
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She-ra - Sheila, 34
DH: Charlie, 35
Married: September 28, 2002
Any other children: Charles Henry (Charlie) 3/30/04
Due Date: October 13, 2006
NAME: Henry Allan
BIRTHDAY: October 4, 2006 @ 1:01pm
Weight: 7lbs, 8oz
Length: 21 3/4 inches
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SlvSpring - Oona, 26
DH: Josh, 28
Married: July 30, 2005
Due Date: October 21, 2006
NAME: Jack Randall
BIRTHDAY: October 19 2006 @9:25pm
Weight: 7lbs, 8oz
Length: 19 1/2 inches
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q3/october2006moms/SlvSpring/slvspring.jpg
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Sua - 36
DH: 38
Married: November, 2002
Other children: Greyson 3/7/04
Due Date: October 13, 2006
NAME: Drew
BIRTHDAY: October 5, 2006
Weight: 8lbs 4oz
Length: 21 1/2 inches
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TaterBaby - Emily, 27
DH: Josh, 26
Married: May 22, 2004
Any other children: m/c at 10 weeks with D&C - Aug 05
Due Date: October 4, 2006
NAME: Emily Elaine, - nickname-Lainey
BIRTHDAY: October 7, 2006 @5:18 am
Weight: 7lbs, 8.5oz
Length: 20 inches
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k176/chiogirl_01/PA240090.jpg
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Tika
Married: October 2002
Due Date: October 13, 2006
NAME: DS
BIRTHDAY: September 26, 2006 @6:32pm
Weight: 5lbs, 7oz
Length: 19 inches
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twink: Lynne, 29
DH: Brian, 30
Married: October 5, 2002
Due Date: September 26,2006
NAME: Joseph Parker
BIRTHDAY: October 4, 2006 @ 5:50pm
Weight: 8lbs, 8oz
Length: 21 inches
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In Our Thoughts: Twylla, dlj78, happy, kate2l, kerrykate

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/sweet_nlovely/boy.gif http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/7774/glitteryourway84eaca0495bbc84d8465e06eb293ecbcfr6. gifhttp://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/sweet_nlovely/itsagirldoll.gif

9/5 * Ericka_Jarett - Easton Robert
9/12 * Hula1974 - Clayton Travis
9/16 * jbemommy - Steven Douglas, Jr
9/17 * MamaBear - Brendan Dacx
9/19 * Pamela -DD
9/19 * dzmattie - DD
9/20 * Nigellas - Alexander Donald
9/24 * Rippy1010 - Logan Anthony
9/25 * Mommy2ml - Logan Henry
9/25 * Bubeleh - Ethan Asher
9/25 * Lily - Mahayla Simone
9/26 * Kenswife - Ty
9/26 * Tika - DS
10/4 * She-Ra - Henry Allan
10/4 * Twink - Joseph Parker
10/5 * marathongirl - James David
10/5 * Sua - Drew
10/5 * maplekitty - Robyn Abigail
10/5 * KMM - Allison Judith
10/7 * TaterBaby - Emily Elaine
10/8 * KimberDK - Mia London
10/9 * Roxygirl - Kendall Renne
10/12 * jenniferlynne - DD
10/14 * Mrs-Mac - Grace Elizabeth
10/14 * MidwesternGal - Benjamin EugeneLee
10/16 * Maxicat - Lauren
10/16 * emermel - Madeline Samantha
10/17 * Jenzen01 - Ada Grace
10/18 * Hmdelf - Connor Dalton
10/19 * PinkMartini - Jacob Michael
10/19 * Lydia - Mason Francis
10/19 * lawgirl4 - DD
10/19 * SlvSpring - Jack Randall
10/22 * Michelle - Madison Michelle
10/27 * MichelleRenee - Tristan Michael
10/31 * quartercentury - DS
11/1 * bunnybeth - Simon Maclaine

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3571/glitteryourway31bb6f47a3e43d66242a6ba9384a1d0erk8. gif
(For posting birth stats & well baby visits that follow : 1 week appt, 2 week appt, 1 month appt, etc.)


Easton Robert
Birth: 5lbs, 6oz & 19"
2 weeks: 6lbs, 0.5oz & 19"
3 weeks: 6lbs, 8.5oz & 19"
5 weeks: 8lbs, 4.5oz & 21"
10 weeks:

Clayton Travis
Birth: 8lbs, 2.5oz & 21"

Steven Douglas, Jr
Birth: 6lbs, 13oz & 20.5"

Brendan Dacx
Birth: 5lbs, 9oz & 18"

Pamela - DD
Birth: 5lbs, 10oz & 19"

dzmattie - DD
Birth: 6lbs & 18.5"
1 week: 5lb, 12oz

Logan Anthony
Birth: 7lbs, 13 oz & 21"
1 week: 7lbs, 10oz & 21"
2 week: 8lbs, 4oz & 21"
1 month: 10 lbs 6.7oz & 22.85 inches

Logan Henry
Birth: 6lbs, 5oz & 19"
1-2 Weeks: 6lbs, 9oz and 20"

Ethan Asher
Birth: 7lbs, 9 oz & 21"
2 Weeks: 8lbs, 3oz & 21 2/3"

Mahayla Simone
Birth: 7lbs, 2oz & 19"

Ty
Birth: 7lbs, 5oz & 20.75"

Tika - DS
Birth: 5lbs, 7oz & 19"
1.5 weeks: 5lbs, 12oz

Henry Allan
Birth:7 lbs, 8 oz & 21 3/4"

James David
Birth: 7lbs & 20"
1 Week: 6lbs, 15oz & 20"

Drew
Birth: 8lbs, 4oz & 21 1/2"

Joseph Parker
Birth: 8lbs, 8oz & 21"

Robyn Abigail
Birth: 7lbs, 15oz & 19"

Allison Judith
Birth: 10lbs, 3oz & 21"

Emily Elaine - nickname: Lainey
Birth: 7lbs, 8.5oz & 20"
2 Week: 7lbs, 14oz & 20"

Mia London
Birth: 6lbs, 9oz & 19 3/4"

Kendall Renne
Birth: 8lbs, 14oz & 20 1/2"

jenniferlynne - DD
Birth: 7lbs, 15 oz & 20.5"

Ada Grace
Birth: 9lbs, 7.5 oz & 21"

Grace Elizabeth
Birth: 7lbs & 20"

Benjamin EugeneLee
Birth: 8lbs, 14oz & 22"

Lauren
Birth: 6lbs, 3oz & 19"

Madeline Samantha
Birth: 7lbs, 15oz & 19 1/2"

Ada Grace
Birth: 9lbs, 7.5 oz & 21"

Connor Dalton
Birth: 8lbs, 6oz & 21"

Jacob Michael
Birth: 8bs, 12oz & 22 1/2"
1 week: 8lbs, 13oz & 22 1/2"
2 week: 9lbs, 1oz & 22 1/2"

Mason Francis
Birth: 7lbs, 9oz & _____

Lawgirl - DD
Birth: 7lbs, 8oz & 21 1/2"

Jack Randall
Birth: 7lbs, 8oz & 19 1/2"

Madison Michelle
Birth: 8lbs, 8oz & 20"

Tristan Michael
Birth: 7lbs 8oz & 20"

QuarterCentury - DS
Birth: 7lbs, 15oz & 21"

bunnybeth-DS
Birth: 8 lbs, 2 oz. & 21.5"

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

Constant Chatter Links
0-18 Months (http://www.constantchatter.com/forumdisplay.php?f=105)

Tickers:
Baby's First Site (www.babysfirstsite.com) * Baby Gaga (www.baby-gaga.com) * Lilypie (www.lilypie.com) * Ticker Central (www.tickercentral.com) * Ticker Factory (www.tickerfactory.com)

Invitations/Announcements
2Peas1Pod (http://2peas1pod.com/) * 5StarBaby (http://5StarBaby.com) * BabyGrams (www.babygrams.com) * Baby J Cards (www.babyjcards.com) * Bella Baby (www.bellababy.com) * Celebration Cottage (www.celebrationcottage.com) * Classic Card Company (www.classiccard.com) * In A Baby Carriage (www.inababycarriage.com) * Invitation Box (www.invitationbox.com) * Inviting Smiles (www.invitingsmiles.com) * MetroBaby Cards (www.metrobabycards.com) * Mommy's Miracles (www.mommysmiracles.com) * My Gatsby (www.mygatsby.com) * Naptime Cards (www.naptimecards.com) * Photo Stamps (http://photo.stamps.com/PhotoStamps/?source=si10985886) * Purple Stork (www.purplestork.com) * Custom Craft (http://www.shopbirthannouncements.com/) * Simply To Impress (www.simplytoimpress.com) * Stork Avenue (www.storkavenue.com) * Tiny Prints (www.tinyprints.com)

Baby Shopping Sites:
Baby Age (www.babyage.com) * Baby Ant (http://www.babyant.com) * Baby Bazaar (http://www.babybazaar.com/) * BabyBox (http://www.babybox.com/) * Baby Center's Store (http://www.store.babycenter.com/) * Baby Depot (http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/IWCatSectionView.process?Section_Id=1395&lc=ln) * Baby Dilly (http://www.babydilly.com/) * Baby Dreams (http://www.babydreams.com/) * Babies R Us (www.babiesrus.com) * Baby Style (http://www.babystyle.com/) * Baby Universe (http://www.babyuniverse.com/) * Carousel Designs (http://www.carouseldesigns.com/) * Dimples & Dandelions (http://www.dimplesanddandelions.com/index.asp) * Dreamtime Baby (http://www.dreamtimebaby.com/) * Elegant Baby (http://www.elegantbabygifts.com/) * Fisher Price (http://www.fisher-price.com/us/default.asp) * Gap (http://www.gap.com/) * Graco (http://www.gracobaby.com/default.aspx) * Gymboree (www.gymboree.com) * In The Treetop (http://www.inthetreetop.com/default.aspx) * JCPenney (www.jcpenney.com) * Land of Nod (http://www.landofnod.com/) * Little Show Offs (http://www.littleshowoffs.com/) * Net Kids Wear (http://www.netkidswear.com/) * Nursery Depot (http://www.nurserydepot.com/) * Old Navy (www.oldnavy.com) * One of a Kind (http://www.oneofakindkid.com/) * One Step Ahead (http://www.onestepahead.com) * Pokkadots (http://www.pokkadots.com/index.cfm) * Pottery Barn Kids (http://www.potterybarnkids.com/) * Signature Baby (http://www.signaturebaby.com/) * Target Baby (http://www.target.com) * The Baby Marketplace (http://www.thebabymarketplace.com/) * The Children's Place (http://www.childrensplace.com/) * Tutti Bella (http://www.tuttibella.com/) * Wendy Bellissimo (http://www.wendybellissimo.com/home/index.php) * Overview Baby Skin Products (http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=SKIN&ID=14)

Breastfeeding
Ameda (www.ameda.com) * Breastfeeding (www.breastfeeding.com) * Boppy (www.boppy.com) * KellyMom (www.kellymom.com) * La Leche League (www.lalecheleague.org) * Maternal Concepts (www.maternalconcepts.com) * Medela (www.medela.com) * Mothering (www.mothering.com) * ProMom (www.promom.org) * Whisper Wear (www.whisperwear.com)

Formula Feeding
Bright Beginnings (www.brightbeginnings.com) * Enfamil (www.enfamil.com) * Similac (www.similac.com) * Very Best Baby (Nestle Good Start) (www.verybestbaby.com)

Diapering Info: Some have coupons & contests
Cloth Diapering (http://www.borntolove.com/404page.html) * Huggies (www.huggies.com) * Luvs (www.luvs.com) * Pampers (www.pampers.com)

Slings
The Hip Hugger (www.thehiphugger.com) * About Babies Inc. (www.aboutbabiesinc.com) * Maya Wrap (www.mayawrap.com) * New Native Baby (www.newnativebaby.com) * Prenatal Cradle (www.prenatalcradle.com) * Baby Bjorn (www.babybjorn.com) * Baby Wearer (www.babywearer.com)

[Sept&Oct06Moms]

Our first October baby is here! Open for posting!

[Ericka_Jarett]

I figure ill crosspost again, and be the first baby post.
(Jarett posting... )



Easton Robert, born 9/5/6 @ 7:27pm. 5 pounds, 6 ounces. 19 inches long.

http://order.ducklingphoto.com/photos/93282540-S.jpg
http://order.ducklingphoto.com/photos/93281537-S.jpg

Mommy and baby are doing great. He will be in the NICU for a while (5 weeks early). But he is actually wanted to feed within the first hour, so that's a great start. He is still having trouble regulating his temp, so thats the next big step.

http://order.ducklingphoto.com/photos/93282698-S.jpg

8/9 on the Apgars, and very attentive to the surroundings.

PM me for his first photo gallery link. Or check back to my journal.

Ericka had about 90 minutes of hard pushing, after a few hours of pitocin, and manual membrane rupturing. She did great. And if anyone here is thinking about not getting an Epidural, I just have to say you are crazy :P

(Ericka will update this later when she has computer access again)

[Sua]

Just following the link over here after seeing the photos of adorable Easton Robert! Ericka and Jarett, he is just gorgeous! Congrats to you both! Great work, there Momma!!

[kenswife]

YAY!!!! Congrats Ericka and Jarett!!!! What awesome news to come and see in here!

Hope you are completely enjoying your little boy!

[Michelle]

Congratulations Ericka and Jarrett!!!!!! :)

[Roxygirl]

Congrats Erika and Jarrett. Welcome baby Easton.

[maplekitty]

Congrats Ericka and Jarrett!!!

Welcome to the world, our first "October" Baby, Easton!!! :D

[MamaBear]

Wow!!! Our first baby is here! Congrats Ericka and Jarrett and welcome Easton. He is so cute!

I can't believe that the babies are starting to arrive.

Sara

[Quartercentury]

Welcome, Easton! :)

I was just thinking yesterday how lucky we are, that we haven't had any severely premature babies or other major scares. And five weeks early and over five pounds is fabulous. Here's hoping he can come home soon.



We got the disappointing news last night that the women we'd wanted to hire as a doula won't be available after all... We were both really partial to her just for the fact that she's American, so knows where we're coming from as far as birthing in a strange place, as it were. Now we're going to be stuck with English people! :p

[KMM]

Congratulations Ericka and Jarett and welcome baby Easton!

[marathongirl]

Congrats Ericka and Jarrett! Welcome baby Easton! I can't believe how alert he looks! :D So handsome too!

[dzmattie]

Congratulations Erika!

I had tears in my eyes as I read the post. (Hormones I know - but very happy that your little man is here and healthy and happy!)

[marathongirl]

My appt yesterday was uneventful. K2 sounds good, BP and weight were good. Went over my birth plan with the OB. So now we just wait. My next appt is 9/12.

[Rippy1010]

Congratulations, Ericka & Jarrett!! Nice to meet you, Easton! :)

I'm glad that everything turned out fairly well. Sending prayers that Easton's stay in the NICU will be a short one. He looks great ... and what a cutie! I'm so excited for you!

[Mrs-Mac]

Ericka,
So happy for you that Easton is healthly and doing well. Congratulations!!!

Can't believe the first October baby is here!!!

[Jenzen01]

Holy buckets! I can't believe our first baby is here!

CONGRATS ERICKA AND JARRETT.
WELCOME EASTON!!!!

I went home early yesterday because I had so many BH contractions. A little nap on the couch did a world of good, and I'm feeling pretty normal this morning. Achy, but normal.

And, the best news of the day ... I was supposed to take pictures at a wedding on Sept. 23 (I'd be full term) two hours from my hospital, and I was getting really nervous about it. I emailed the groom yesterday to tell him he better have a back-up plan, and he has already found someone, so I'm off the hook! Sweet, sweet relief.

Jen

[Hula1974]

Congratulations Ericka and Jarett and welcome baby Easton!
What great news to pop in and see!

[Maxicat]

Wow, congratulations Ericka, Jarrett and Baby Easton. How wonderful for all of you. Thanks for the headsup about the Epidural.

[Tonysweetie]

Just popping in from the April 2007 Mommies to say congratulations to ERICKA AND JARRETT on their new baby boy Easton! I love that name BTW! Congrats again and God Bless!!!

[lawgirl4]

Congratulations, Ericka & Jarrett!! What wonderful and exciting news! So glad all is going well.

******************************

My 35 week appt yesterday went well - everything was routine, though I did have the GBS test (not sure when I get results from that). My OB is switching practices 10 days before my due date, and once she's in the new practice it's basically guaranteed that she'll be delivering me - yay!

My next 2 appts are 9/19 and 9/26.

Hope everyone is doing well!!

[Mommy2ml]

CONGRATS!!! Erika and Jarrett and welcome Easton!!!! :D
------------
Wow! Time sure is flying!

I started applying the EPO last night and plan to continue til baby is here.

Saw the dermatologist this morning before work and she said the rash on my leg is harmless. If it is still there after the baby comes she can give me a strong steroidal cream to use to get rid of it, but they try not to Rx thise during pg. But at least she said all is well. While there I got a full skin check since I have been horrible and never went to a derm before, and all is well with that as well :)

The pelvic/hip/butt/upper leg pain is still quite difficult to bear. I hobble along best I can and do somewhat fine while sitting, but getting up and walking around is difficult at best! :P I have an appt with my Chiro after my OB appt tomorrow, so lets hope he can help me with that. Last night, Rob tried to massage the areas at the tops of my legs and hips that hurts and he said the pain seems mostly at the joints... so I know it's directly related to the relaxing and loosening of my joints. I am still trying to go out for walks each day when I can to try and keep things moving and get a little exercise though.

I am off for my walk I think... more later! :)

[MichelleRenee]

Ugh.. I just got a call that our pre-natal classes will not start tomorrow... they will start next week instead. I knew I should have done an earlier class. Now we won't be finished until I am 2 weeks away from my EDD. I hope we aren't cutting it too close...

[Pamela]

Congratulations Ericka and Jarett! He's beautiful!!

[Quartercentury]

Now we won't be finished until I am 2 weeks away from my EDD. I hope we aren't cutting it too close...
We're starting next week, too, and ours don't finish until four days before my EDD. I signed up in April and this was the first session that had space!

Must return to packing... Big move is tomorrow...

[Rippy1010]

Sorry, girls, but you are going to hear some complaining out of me. :rolleyes:

My feet look so grotesque these days. They are so incredibly swollen. I only fit in my flip flops right now (and even then, my feet are falling off the sides, and the "thong" part of the flip flops make huge indents in my swollen feet). Of course, we can't wear flip flops to work ... so today I went to Famous Footwear to get at least one pair of shoes to get me through the next 2-5 weeks. I tried on the largest pair of shoes I could find, which was a 9-1/2 ... THEY STILL DIDN'T FIT!!! I'm normally anywhere between a size 7-1/2 and 8-1/2!!! I feel like a circus freak! So ... I still don't have any shoes that fit me and my freakishly enormous feet. Can't go shopping tonight, because we have our newborn care class. So, I guess tomorrow night I'll have to go try DSW after work. Guess work will have to put up with me wearing my "dressiest" pair of flip flops for a few more days. :mad: :(

[Mommy2ml]

Rippy, maybe you can ask if you can wear sneakers to work? I find when I wear socks and sneakers it seems to cut back on my foot swelling... at least the part that seems to happen during the day. Payless I believe has up to size 12 or so and would be cheap so you can toss em out when your feet de-swell :)

I am still playing with the idea of drug free vs. epi. I don't think I can really make any sort of decision until I am there, having the baby and see how I am feeling then though. At this point, as long as baby and I come through healthy, I don't care anymore. Right now I am just looking forward to being able to move faster than a snail without feeling extreme pain and discomfort :p

Eevry day I have been waking up and wishing I could forget about work and just sit at home and rest... and every day I go in anyway and feel yucky and uncomfy and wish I could go home. Yet I am just as uncomfy at home as I am at work, so I might as well be earning some $$ while I can right?

I was out for a walk over lunch with a friend (I know, glutton for punishment:p) and wound up having to RUN across half the street cause cars were coming towards us from both directions! OWCH!

Oh yes, and now my feet go numb when I sit for too long :p

And I have a new guy to train, so this morning and yesterday morning I basically was sitting for a good 3+ hours straight for training him.

Anyone else get sudden bursts of feeling out of breath and like something is sitting on your chest, with your heart beating fast? I get that 2-4 times a day and when I bother to check my pulse it's up around 110-120, yet most of the time I am just sitting there! Then it just goes away after a bit. I must say I am not terribly concerned... though it has reminded me the cardiologist wanted to see me end of this year to recheck my murmur! Better call for an appt!

[Rippy1010]

Mommy2ml ~ I literally cannot get anything more than my toes in to any of my sneakers right now. It's pretty sad. LOL! But, I guess if I can find a sneak to fit my foot in to, I can try it. But, that would only solve my problem on the days I wear pants/nice shorts. What do you do on days that you wear dresses or skirts?

[Mommy2ml]

I wear 'em anyway. Not like I can see my feet anymore anyhow, right? Comfort over fashion while pg IMHO! LOL No one where I work cares much what's on my feet lately anyhow, at least not that they have mentioned to me :)

I DO have a pair of shoes I can wear to work though, in addition to sneakers... I bought them back when I was pg with Mackie and kept them even though they were big on me once I was not pg anymore. I got them from Easy Spirit and they even have these bumps on the insoles that massage the bottom of my feet! I rediscovered them recently and find them even more comfy than my sneakers some days :) They are flats and have the stretchy elastic on either side and are simple black shoes I can wear with trouser socks or something. Most of the other shoes and boots I got for while pg with Mackie I did not get till the winter (she was a January baby) so I have not been able to wear them since my feet would sweat in them... these seem to work now that it's fall though :)

[MidwesternGal]

CONGRATS to Ericka and Jarrett on the arrival of EASTON!!!!

[Jenzen01]

Rippy - Hey! I wear a 9-1/2 on a regular day!! :)

[She-Ra]

Congratulations Ericka & Jarrett! What a cutie-pie!!!!

--------------------------------------------------------

No wonder I didn't get any notifications today. :)

[bunnybeth]

Congratulations Ericka and Jarett! What a beautiful baby boy! :)

Paternity leave DH will be taking off 2-3 days, maybe another day or so if I end up needing a c-section. My mom will be taking a week off to come over during the day (she lives 2 miles away so no overnights) once he goes back. DH is a teacher and it's frowned upon to take many days off even for a new child, probably because there's so many built-in days off on the school calendar, so every day counts a lot.

Trying to keep up in here, I've been skimming over the threads since my last visit, but it's still quite hectic at work. DH got the new shade and shelving hung in the nursery over the weekend, and the window is going to get fixed tomorrow. Then, we can put together the crib. My shower is on Saturday and I'm also hoping to start sewing the curtains for the nursery. Otherwise, I've been seriously registry-stalking, I'm so bad. Not much is gone yet, so I'm guessing everyone's waiting until the last-minute or buying clothing. Ah well, at least we were saving up money before TTC, so we should be ok either way.

New question What are you (planning on) wearing during labor? My hospital doesn't care if I wear their gowns, something else, or nothing at all. (Although decency is required if wandering the halls.) Trying to get some good ideas for a non-gown option to bring along.

[Mommy2ml]

QOTD - I plan to use the hospital gowns and slipper socks during labor. Things get really messy during delivery and I don't want to have anything ruined if I can help it.

When I had DD, not only were things messy during delivery and afterwards when she was laid on my tummy, but I also puked during transition, which is pretty common from what I have heard and been told. The ease of simply chnaging to a new hospital gown while they changed the sheets was much better than if I had to pack up a pukey night gown or something and then deal with it a couple of days later when we got home :P

I should also mention, I had to change the slipper socks as during the move from the LDR room to my pp room the slipper socks I was wearing got blood on them (I won't gross you out with the details though ;))

I can also say I ruined the sweats I wore home from the hospital, along with 3 pr of inderwear that I wore while there and to go home with. So be sure not to bring anything to wear on your bottom half that you would be upset if it got stained or ruined.

HTH

[Jenzen01]

clothes for labor - I, too, plan on using the hospital gown, but I'm bringing my junky robe and some slipper socks. I'm also bringing a sports bra that I can use in the whirlpool.

[maplekitty]

clothes for labour - I plan on wearing the hospital gowns, for the same reason mommy2ml explained. I do plan on bringing my own robe, and socks. I've also been told by various friends to just wear the mesh panties they give you until you go home. At our hospital they give you two pairs, and I've been told to just wash and rinse out one pair, hang to dry while I wear the other, and so on. No need messing up a pair of undies when you don't have to.

[Mommy2ml]

I would do the mesh panties if the hospitals by us had them... they don't :( But yeah, if they offere them, get them. I will be buying a couple of pack of cheap cotton granny panties soon to pack in my bag.

[She-Ra]

QOTD-I'm using the hospital gowns. Just easier IMO. I will have my own jammies & socks for after delivery.

One thing I am remembering this time is a headband or hair clip. When my hair is pulled into a ponytail, my longish bang type pieces fall foward & they BUGGED me so much during labor & delivery, but all I had were rubberbands.

I am packing MUCH MUCH lighter this time. 1 very small bag. DH had to make a few trips to bring all of our stuff out, and it was really annoying. I hardly used anything I brought, plus people always bring/send gifts you need to carry.

[Rippy1010]

Labor/Hospital Clothes ~ I'm also going with the hospital gown, so as not to get any clothes stained. I'm also going to use they mesh panties (gotta find out if they offer them); if they don't offer them, I'm going to take some old undies that I don't care about throwing out. Old socks, and old robe for the same reason ... can throw out if they get stained.


Jenzen ~ Hopefully I didn't offend. I was just meaning that I can't believe my feet are so swollen that they are more than TWO SIZES larger than my norm! I didn't fit in the 9-1/2s, or else I would have just borrowed some of my sisters shoes. LOL!

[Jenzen01]

Oh, Rippy, I'm just giving you a hard time! :) One of my great pregnancy fears is that, as my mom claims, "my arches will drop" and I'll have to go up a size in shoes. I really don't want to have size 11 feet. It's hard enough finding 9.5/10s! My mom says she went up a half size with every baby. :eek:

[Sua]

dzmattie - I know you have mixed feelings re: the scheduled c-section, I can totally relate, even though I've been there before. Please dont hesitate to ask any questions, I'll try my best to help. Plus, I am declaring October 5th a very good day to have a scheduled section. :)

Jenzen - Hey yourself on the 11's! ;) Course, two and a half years after my son was born, I'm still clinging to a closet full of 10's hoping my change in size is only temporary. :P

Hospital stuff - I ditto She-Ra's suggestion to pack light. Bring a big enough bag to stash as many mesh underpants as you can, but try to wear the same thing to the hospital that you can wear home, etc. Dont forget the good lip balm or socks. This time, if people bring me big plants or even large bouquets, I am going to ask them to bring it by our house for me (on some night when they should also bring dinner :P). I hated hauling out so much stuff last time. The first car ride with baby is stressful enough without eight trips to and from the car to load stuff and a dozen mylar balloons rapping you in the face.

[maplekitty]

QOTD:
Is anyone else totally starting to break out!??!
It's like my body is gearing up for birth and my hormones are changing, and suddenly I'm breaking out like I did in my first trimester. I'm not liking this because I've had really nice clear skin for 98% of my pregnancy and now it's all changing again!! :(

[SlvSpring]

Congratulations Ericka and Jarrett!! Baby Easton is a gorgeous little boy! I hope he able to be out of the NICU very soon. :)
________________________

Just have to add that I am a big-footed woman too ;) Size 10 here. I have been living in flip-flops for the last 2-3 months or so. Luckily I am a preschool teacher and flip-flops are OK at my work. I surely hope I don't go up a size either!!!
Good luck finding shoes, Rippy!! I definitely feel your pain. :)

QOTD's-

I plan on wearing the hospital gown too from what I've heard about everyone is mentioning about the mess and not wanting to dirty your own stuff. I will have to pick up some slipper socks though!! I wonder if I should buy a robe too? I don't have one and I wonder if I feel more comfortable with one afterwards?

Breaking out- I did have that problem in the 1st trimester and have had it off and on every now then lately. Like one day a ton and the next week nothing at all.

[emermel]

Congrats Erica and Jarrett!!

QOTD: Breaking out: YES! I have a HUGE mountain on my forhead right now. DH was kind enough to point it out last night.

I second (third?) the packing light...however, I don't recommend wearing the hospital gown the whole time (after delivery that is). You will probably want to get up and move around and walk the halls. I was VERY sore after delivery and the only relief that I got was to move around periodically. Holding a gown shut while trying to keep your balance walking like you've just been on a horse for a week is hard. :p I used DH's scrub bottoms, but I would definitely plan on having some sort of PJ's. Remember, you will have visitors coming in too...it sure made me feel a little more human to shower, change into cute jammies and throw on a little makeup (LOTS of concealer to cover the dark circles under my eyes!) when the first round of visitors came through.

My little one had the hiccups for the first time last night and has had them for a good portion of today too. Now that she's running out of room, she gets me in the ribs every time she hiccups...ouch!:eek: DD#1 had them all the time...come to think of it, she still does!

Hope everyone is doing well! It's hard to believe that a month from now we may have a whole gaggle of babies around here!

[Nigellas]

Welcome to the world, Easton. :)

[Tika]

Congratulations Ericka and Jarrett! Hope your precious son get to go home soon!

QOTD--- I plan on using the hospital gown the day of the c-section, but hopefully wear some pjs or at least a robe the next couple days.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not much going on with me. Things are still crazy at work, but considering that I only have 2 weeks and a couple days left before I go on leave, it’s expected.

My next appt is on Sept. 14th.

[KMM]

Rippy-I am right there with you on the feet swelling. My feet are so huge by the end of the day! Both sideways and heightwise. I can only fit into flip flops and they leave indentation marks. They don't hurt, they just feel really...tight I guess would be the word.

I had my OB appt yesterday. I was happy to see that my BP was still low despite the swelling. All was well with the baby and I had my first internal exam- cervix is softening but no dilation yet. I was crampy last night from the exam. The dr I saw, while I'm sure would be fine during delivery, was so cold in the office. He didn't even offer to help me sit back up after the HB&internal exam. I'm glad he is not my contact dr. I will be seeing my dr from here on out.

Next appt is 9/14.


QOTD1- I am planning to wear the hospital gown during labor and after until I can shower then will probably wear something of my own that I don't mind being ruined. On the advice from the childbirth educator- I wore Depends with pads in them until I went home and even a few days after. They were awesome because they held everything in place and were disposable. I haven't decided if I'll be bringing them along again. They were so embarassing to buy. :D

QOTD2-My face has been bad this whole pregnancy. It got better the 2nd tri but recently has gone back to looking like it did in middle school.

[marathongirl]

QOTD1 - I'll just wear the hospital gown during labor. Things tend to get pretty messy and I don't want to ruin my own stuff.

QOTD2 - my face is a little worse, but not terrible, thank goodness.

I got a 'job' last night. I use the word job lightly because I'll only be working about a hour or 2 a week. It's at DD's preschool and I'll be a playroom monitor for 30 mins a few days/week while the teachers prep in between the morning and afternoon sessions. But hey, money is money, right? After 15 months of being a SAHM, I'm starting to really feel the need to contribute at least a *little* financially.

[Rippy1010]

RE: Breakouts

My face started breaking out again in the last 2 weeks, also. It's sooo annoying. And, just in the last few days, I've started breaking out on the tops of my shoulders. :confused: WTH is THAT about?!


Re: Hiccups It seems like baby has them at least twice a day now. They are actually starting to feel a little annoying. And, it's a pain because you want to be able to do something to stop them, but can't. Poor little guy. :(

[MichelleRenee]

Breaking out, I was just commenting this morning on how my face and shoulders are starting to break out again. Very annoying!

Hiccups, he gets them 3 or 4 times a day. Sometimes it annoys me because it makes me nauseous, but overall it's kinda fun to have this "movement" that will continue long enough for others to feel.

I can't believe I will be 33 weeks tomorrow!!

[Mommy2ml]

She-ra-I also plan to pack lighter! LAst time there were at least 2 trips to the car with stuff before Rob even took us to the car!

Another thing I plan to bring wth me this time I could have used last time... a pentaflex type folder with lots of pockets. It will already have the insurance forms and info and numbers and such I need in it, then I can add the coupons and information stuff and papers that I get at the hospital, rather than bringing home bags and bags of stuff to go through eventually at home. We missed out on using many coupons cause they were buried in a bag instea dof out where we knew about them and could use them!

Jenzen-I went up a full size in shes last time, but this time have not at all - I used to be a 7.5-8 and now am a 8.5-9.

Also, I plan to send things home with Rob the day before we go home. things like any laundry or things I find I don't need there, presents, etc. That way there's less to take home on the actual going home day.

qotd-I started breaking out before I even got my BFP. With every surge of hormones I get a new break out. this pg has been better than last time though. I also get break outs with AF though, so I am used to dealing with it. I might get some treatment from my dermatologist, now that I have one, after the baby is here if it continues.

Enermel-I wore 2 gowns at a time. One that tied in back, and the other backwards so it tied in front. That way, I was covered. I figure wearing the gowns while there will also cut back on what I have to pack for myself an dthen take home too. :) They will give you fresh gowns if you ask, so whenever I cleaned up I got new gowns so I felt fresh and clean for a while.

kmm-I have heard Depends can be useful that first week or 2... I have been considering using them instead of buying granny panties that I would just have to toss out anyway...
-------------

I see my cardiologist and my OB today.

Seems like everyone is contacting me all of a sudden... they all want to see me while I am "still pregnant" :rolleyes: So now I have 12 appts and 2 people to see (so far) plus Rosh Hashanah, in the next 17 days. Talk about crazy!:eek: It'll be nice to be able to just sit and let people come to me after the baby comes... I can use the "break" LOL

I starrted using the EPO cas this week and have been drinking more RRL tea too, so hopefully things will be moving along for us soon! :)

[Nigellas]

Pediatrician? I’m not sure if this was covered before or not- Sorry if it’s a repeat… Anyway – I’ve been starting to think about pediatricians and not really sure how to move forward. Do I just call and see if they are accepting new patients and then go from there? Do I need to have this in place before the babe comes? I'm feeling so clueless!

[Mommy2ml]

I would call around to local peds on your medical plan and ask for an interview appt. They do them for new parents to be. Get a list of qwuestions together to ask the doctors and bring them and extra paper and pen to take notes. go with the doctor(s) you are most comfy with and who seem to agree with your projected style of parenting.

We chose our ped this way, but decided we did not like them by the end of the first year. We then switched to new ones recommended by friends and have been with this group since just before Mackie turned 1. We're just going to stay with them for this DS as well.

You do need peds lined up before the baby comes, because you will need to start bringing the baby for regular visits starting at about a week old to check weight/length/head circumference and to vax if you plan to and it is good to have a regular ped or group of peds so that is your baby does get sick, you have a place to go besides the emergency room or clinic whwere they will know you and your baby and be familiar with health and family history, etc.

Questions to ask a prospective ped can include things like their views on BFing and FFing, co-sleeping, delayed vaxing, etc. Anything that is important to you to either do or not do, you should ask about. Last thing you need is to get in with a ped who is going to make you unsure of or start doubting your stance on certain things that are very important to you as a parent!

Most docs won't always see eye to eye with you on everything, but make sure to aks about what is MOST important to you. Also feel your gut reaction to the doctor and the staff and the waiting room/office/exam rooms. Is the waiting room or waiting rooms big and spacious? Are there things for your kids to do while you wait? Is the staff friendly and helpful seeming? Does it feel/look like it'd be easy to roll a strolelr in through the waiting room and into the exam rooms? Is it cramped feeling or spacious? Is there a seperate area or hours for sick and well visits? Do their hours coincide with hours that would allow you to not leave work early or go in late for well visits? do they have urgent visits or clinic type hours or sick call? Does the office look clean and in good condition overall? What are the office policies on cancellations, postponements, no shows, etc? Is there more than one doc in the office at a time to cover sick and well visits? Do the doctors seem open to listening and spending time with you to address all your concerns? Are you kept waiting a long time?

Stuff like that... HTH!

[She-Ra]

Nigellas: Yes, I would first see if they are accepting new patients. When doing research for ours, I have found that a lot of ped offices have websites, and it might state if they are accepting new patients there. You can also usually download a registration form,since you might not be able to physically go to the office.

We did a scheduled touring visit with ours & filled out paperwork that day.

With this baby, they just said to call to schedule a 5 day appt after he was born since we, as a family, are already in the system.

[maplekitty]

Baby Muffin is getting hiccups almost all night long. Although cute, and fun to feel...it keeps me awake and is getting annoying. I also feel bad for her, poor thing!

Oh and swollen feet - mine are at ginormous proportions now! And they are so swollen, I have this sore red crease mark at the top of my foot where it bends at the ankle...and it's so dry and itchy and sore!! :(

And my hips and thighs hurt! In my prenatal class, the lady says this is a sign of pre-labour! It feels like I've been out running a marathon, so achey!! :(

[Rippy1010]

Ped ~ I won't answer the how-to, since two ladies did a great job at that. Just wanted to say that at our newborn care class last night, they did tell us that they will need to know your pediatrician at the hospital, because (at our hospital) the peds will come in to check in on the newborns, or if there is a problem your ped will be contacted by the hospital to come in, or - at the very least - the "big practice" peds will call in and see if there was any babies "borne" to their practice so that they can register them, etc.

I don't know if that's just my hospital, or if it's pretty typical. But, just wanted to tell you what we learned last night. :)


maplekitty ~ I have that red crease on the top of my foot too. OUCH!!



Today I'm having major groin pains. Almost as bad as the day after my internal last week. I think I had some cramping this morning, too ... but I was chalking it up to gas pains for the most part. Who knows. I have my next appt tomorrow ... with another internal. I'm wondering if I'll have ANY progress!!! Also, FINALLY, our childbirth class is on Saturday and my shower is on Sunday. I can't wait for the childbirth class to be over ... especially since I'm fearing I'll be in more discomfort from the Friday internal. :p :rolleyes:

[Mommy2ml]

maplekitty-I hope she's right about it being a sign of prelabor, I am so tired of this pain it's unbelievable!

[bunnybeth]

clothes for labor Thanks for the tips and ideas. I like the slipper socks idea, I bet those would be better than just socks, and I have an old pair. As well as a robe that needs to be replaced. Old stuff should be more comfy anyways. Oh, but for the slipper socks, does it matter if they don't have rubber bottoms/traction? I don't want to slip around too much on the floor.

breaking out Yes, I noticed it this week, I hadn't had much for months now, but now it's all over the place...

pediatrician At my hospital, if you don't have a ped picked out (or don't have one that has rights at the hospital) they will send the on-call ped to do the initial check up after the baby is born. But, you take them into the office so soon after birth, it's good to have them picked out beforehand.

[Mommy2ml]

bunnybeth-I liked having the kind with the grippers/rubber on the bottom because it allowed me to walk around without slipping more easily, both while in labor and after baby was born.

[MichelleRenee]

And my hips and thighs hurt! In my prenatal class, the lady says this is a sign of pre-labour!

Serously?? My inner thighs hurt SO bad, all the way up to my girly parts. I keep saying I feel like I have been riding a horse or something. It seriously hurts so bad that I have trouble getting up and walking. It especially hurts at night, so getting out of bed for trips to the bathroom is almost excruciating.

I guess I should mention this at my appt tomorrow?

[MichelleRenee]

Check this out:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/bythenumbers/2006-07-31-us-population-300million_x.htm

The 300 millionth American is supposed to be born in mid-late October.

But Peter Francese, founder of American Demographics magazine and a demographic trends analyst for New York ad agency Ogilvy & Mather, says Oct. 27 is the statistically likely date, as well as the 300th day of the year.

That is my EDD!! How fun!

[Delta]

Just a little FYI - you don't have to have an internal exam if you don't want one. It's your body, your labor. I've read a few posts here about cramping and discomfort afterwards...keep in mind it's up to you if you want to get it - don't just submit because the doc tells you to. They don't really tell you much anyway. You could be completely closed up up and have your baby 12 hours later, or you could be walking around totally effaced and 4 cm for 2 weeks. :)

[maplekitty]

For RO's - When you finally started dilating, did it actually feel different? DId it feel more tender down there, or did you actually feel "wider"? I know that sounds like such a weird question, but I swear it feels more tender down there and I'm wondering if I'm actually feeling myself dilating??

[Jenzen01]

maplekitty - I didn't feel any different.

However, I will say that I had quite a few other signs that I should have paid attention to, and I didn't realize they were signs of labor until after I had Gabe. :) About a week before I had Gabe, I had some serious BH contractions. I also just hit a point of "I can't do this anymore." I felt "off" and everything just seemed weird. I had bloody show on a Saturday morning --- really should have paid more attention to that. It was a light pink fluid when I used the bathroom --- and then had a few contractions that night. I continued having little bursts of fluid, and then had more bloody show on Monday morning. At that point, I knew something was just not right. Turns out I was leaking fluid for a few days. So, moral of the story, if you ever have little bursts of fluid, seriously think about going to the hospital. :) Toward the end, I just couldn't read my body anymore because it was doing so many things that I wasn't used to seeing ...

[Rippy1010]

but I swear it feels more tender down there

That's so weird ... me, too!!

[lawgirl4]

truly a naive question here - why, other than the potential discomfort, would one *not* want to have an internal exam? I would really like to know, just out of curiosity!! :)

I'm having my first internal at my next appt and while I am sure it won't be the comfiest thing ever, I am also just kind of excited to hear how things look in there since I'll be 3 weeks away from my EDD. I totally understand that I could be dialated and/or effaced and that might not mean labor is imminent, but then again, a little progress is still progress, and it still seems exciting to me to know what my body's up to, even if it doesn't reveal a whole lot.

[maplekitty]

Rippy - are we having the same pregnancy??? :D ;)

lawgirl - I would think for some people who have the first internal, and it seriously hurts, and may hurt for days after - they should know that they can say no to more at their upcoming appnts. if it's something that they just don't want to experience again until the actual birth.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Hi ladies,

Thanks so much for the comments about my precious Easton. He is such a handsome baby and can't believe he is all ours. :) I just got in from the hospital today. My OB's came in to check on me this morning and she was pushing for me to stay 1 more day since insurance pays for 3 days, but the nurses assured her that today was day 3 to them and wouldn't pay. So I was discharged and we went to see my little peanut. We arrived to see a little note from the nurse about him. He weighed in last night at 5 lbs 5oz and is trying his bottle feedings but gets tired quick so they have to tube feed him at times. He got increased to 30cc's today and the doctor told us that he is doing great, just needs to get the bottle feeding down and his weight up because of it. He said he wants him to reach 60cc's before he can come home, so this mommy is praying hard that he gets up to that before mid next week. We are just so in love with this little guy. He was very alert yesterday while we were there that we got to give him his feeding. He drank 26cc's with me (he was on 20cc's minimum yesterday) spit up about 1cc of it, but we were so thrilled. We got to see his eyes which are just like his daddy's. Jarett would say something to him and he followed his voice and would look right at him. Earlier we went to see him while he was still in the heat bed, before he got moved to an open air crib, he was screaming, I talked to him and he immediately quieted down and calmed down, it was so awesome.

I typed up his whole birth story and the following day and will post it in my journal and possibly in here, will see how long it goes in a posting.

QOTD- the stuff for hospital during labor: wear the hospital gown and a pair of junky socks. I wore the gown the whole time, it didn't get bloody but my nurses were constantly changing the bed pad to prevent the mess a bit. Only time I needed to change my gown after delivery was with my 2nd bathroom trip when I just gushed in the bathroom before I could get the gown up, my socks got a spot of blood on them during this time. I just used a 2nd gown when I walked to SCU (special care unit) and a pair of slipper socks the hospital supplied. I used gowns the whole time I was in, since they want you to have the back open while seating so they can check your stomach and your stitches (if you get them for a tear) and your blood flow. Plus if you need to pump much easier to pull the gowndown than try to deal with your own clothes should they not be easy to lift or such. We had my mom and her friend visit us only, but even if others came I didn't care if they saw me in the hospital gowns, rather they have the bloody mess to clean up than me having stained clothes that I would need to treat and wash.

QOTD - dilating, I didn't feel any difference in my cervix. I was 1cm witht he pessary and when it came out within mins I went to 3-4cms (I had no pain or pressure at all) and within an hour was already 5-6cms (my contractions were not super strong that I could even tell I dilated more) After my water was broken that is when I could feel the most changes as I had lots of pressure low on the left side of my body. That was really the only place I had enough pressure to let me know I had to push. It was intense even with an epi, but so glad I got one as the pain would have had me through the roof, as it was I was ready to jump out of the bed with each pang of pressure I had.

Well, I will post my birth story in my journal now and than I am off for a little nap until we head back to the hospital. We have several hundreds of pictures that we have taken so far. A few of them are here: Easton Robert (http://order.ducklingphoto.com/gallery/1858267)

Hubby is working on a slideshow for the baby shower on Saturday (yes it's still on, just will be without the baby there and no more pregnant mamma) Even if Easton wasn't in the hospital until at least the weekend or more, he wouldn't be at the shower as we are getting into RSV season, so Jarett would have stayed home with him while I went to the shower.

Apartment - the guy that is renting called us to ask some questions, we can be moving as early as this weekened it looks like if we wanted to, probably be next weekend though, just have to call him back to answer a few questions since we were a little busy :) when he called us.
Excited to see who will be the next mommy.

[maplekitty]

Hi Ericka!!! So glad you're home and doing well, and Eston sounds like he's on the road to being a healthy little guy who's ready to go home too!

[Delta]

truly a naive question here - why, other than the potential discomfort, would one *not* want to have an internal exam? I would really like to know, just out of curiosity!!Well, on the personal preference side I just don't find it the least bit enjoyable having fingers jammed up into my vagina every week when it doesn't really tell you anything anyway. ;)

Also, some doctors do strip membranes without telling the patient beforehand - no chance of that when you don't have an internal in the first place.

Every internal you have also increases the chances of introducing bacteria into the birth canal. If you are GBS positive you should be especially concerned.

In normal, healthy pregnancies they just aren't necessary, really, and usually just serve to irritate the cervix. The cramping and discomfort people are feeling may be 'normal' after an internal, but that doesn't mean it's 'OK.' :)

I mean, if you are curious to know then by all means have one. It's just that I personally don't feel they are worth it to me, and I find some people don't even realized that they are 'optional.'

[Ericka_Jarett]

Regarding internals - sure they can introduce infection, but you don't really get the exams until the last few weeks of your pregnancy. I have been having exams since 16 weeks and never got an infection from them. Granted I had the incompetent cervix so had to be checked, but had I not been, I never would have realized how fast I dilated on Tuesday after my pessary came out, and than how soon after I went into labor I would be delivering. I say if you want one, go for it. If you don't feel comfortable with getting one done, don't bother. It's up to you. For me personally, I liked knowing what my body was doing, since my u/s showed I was 100% effaced already. I went from 3-4 to 5-6 in about an hour, than complete about 2-3 hours later. They told us alot about my body and gave me a good idea of what was happening with my body.

They are not super pleasant, but if you can just think on something else, they really aren't that bad. Having had a cervical check for 20 weeks, I was quite use to them and my cervix actually sits really high up. You can get your antibiotics at the first sign of an infection, sometimes you have an yeast infection and don't even know it. My doctor spotted my first one, I had no symptoms of it, he noticed it. Rare occassion you may have a doctor that strips you, but most will just let you decide what to do about it. My doctors would never do anything without talking to me first.

Just like if you want to be induced or not. My doctor let me decide if I wanted to be induced or just let my body take it's time moving. We didn't want to risk an infection so we went with the induction, she explained the pros and cons to being induced or not, she gave us the time we needed to decide. Once the meds were started and before she broke my water, was able to get an epidural if I wanted it.

Talk it over with your husband since it's your baby. I am glad Jarett was with me to help me decide what to do about an induction. I knew what was going to be involved and that it would be painful, but we did what we felt was right. We never did childbirth classes and really, we didn't need to worry about it. The nurses told me what to do before hand and my doctor talked me through everything as we went. I breathed how I felt I needed in order to get past the pain and pressure at the moment.

It's a personal choice so do what you feel comfy with. Talk to your husband discuss as you need to. For me I am glad to have the checks done.

Good luck mommies. I will be around even if I don't post will be reading along. Lots of my time will be spent at the hospital until my baby gets to come home.

[Michelle]

Congratulations again Ericka! I'm so glad to hear that Easton is doing well! He'll be home before you know it! :)

[MidwesternGal]

Good to hear from you Ericka! I hope Easton can come home next week!

QOTD Hospital Gowns: Hmm, maybe I will only pack a going home outfit now and some granny panties. Whoever mentioned the Depends, that is a FAB idea!! Then I could wear more "normal" comfy clothes and not worry so much about bleeding on them.

QOTD Breaking Out: I've always had large pores and some blackheads. I haven't really noticed too much, actually, my skin has been a *little* better, not as ruddy complexion as usual. However, my armpits have been sweating like crazy!
_________________
Had my appointment today. She did the GBS test. I was a bit embarrassed because my butt was stuck to the flimsy paper on the examining table when I lifted it for the test! Cripes.

BP was good, but high for *me.* Usually I'm around 90/60 or 100/70 and today it was 120/70. Still totally acceptable though.

I didn't look at weight gain, I figure it's pointless. Especially because I treated myself to a chocolate chip cookie dough blizzard and corn dog after my appointment! :rolleyes: Whoops!

Next appointment is Sept. 14.

Oh, and I asked her about BH contrax, and pain in hips/thighs, and loss of mucus plug and she says that while they are a sign up upcoming labor, we are all pretty much at the point where "upcoming" labor could be up-coming anywhere from tomorrow until a week after our EDD! LOL. I've been feeling rather left out of the "ooh labor should be soon" club because I haven't had any of those symptoms. So that made me feel a little bit better. However, I'd still like some symptoms so that I felt I was making progress. . . sort of like how lawgirl4 wants the internal to feel she was making progress (I'm the same way!)!!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Midwestern - I would check with the hospital about what pads they have. I only needed the big pads (like Depends) for the first day and a half. I moved down to medium size pads (thick overnight pads) early yesterday afternoon. If you need the big pads for more than 2 days something may be wrong down there. You will bleed the most with the first 2-3 bathroom trips, after that it should slow quite a bit. If I didn't have a hemorrhoid, I would move to the thinner pads, but right now I need that extra padding. My swelling is gone down quite a bit and the tear the OB today said wasn't too bad looking and was healing nicely. Just something for you to think about, before you go and buy too much stuff that you won't need possibly.

[lawgirl4]

Ericka - what a sweetie little Easton is! and it sounds like he is doing so well. congratulations again - he's a lucky little boy. :)

*********************************

thanks for the feedback on the internals - I guess that since I trust my OB's judgement, I would never doubt that she'd be doing something that I wouldn't want her to do.

[KimberDK]

Ericka - CONGRATULATIONS! Easton is so beautiful. You wouldn't know to look at the pics that he is even a preemie at all, he just a perfect little baby boy.

Rippy - A girl in my yoga class actually got a doctor's note saying that she needed to wear flip flops to work. If you really aren't comfortable at all in anything else, you should probably be able to do that too, couldn't you? The girl I know works in a professional office that would never normally permit flip flops, but apparently with the doctr's note, they really had to.

Mommy2ML - Yes! I have suddenly been having big breathing problems. I just get winded and light headed for almost no reason at all, and if I don't lie down immediately I start seeing spots and feel like I will pass out. This just started in the last week.

Packing light - I knew that I wanted to pack light and I was so proud of myself that I had everything I needed in one small suitcase. Then we found out that our hospital has an incredibly short supply of pillows and you need to bring your own. And my husband insists that we need to pack them in a suitcase, I don't know why. We needed a large (regular vacation size) suitcase to fit the pillows. So now we will be arriving with 2: my little one and a big one of pillows. And it will be just as cumbersome as if I hadn't bothered to pack light in the first place. What a waste of all my effort!

Photos - Today I did a professional belly photo shoot. I used a studio I had never used for anything before, I just found them on the web and liked their pregnancy pics, so I booked them. It was really, really fun and I'm glad I did it. They are mostly nude or semi-nude, although we did some fully clothed, and others kind of draped in fabric so I am not actually clothed, but nothing indecent is showing either. I had the option of bringing my husband to do some of us together, but he wasn'r into it and I didn't care enough to push for it. I really just wanted these for my own posterity, to remember how I looked pregnant. I'll get the pics next week, but I think at least some of them should be good. I also really loved working with them, so if I like the pics, I will definitely go back to them to do newborn pics once Mia is here.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Packing - we packed the duffel bag on wheels we have (only bag we had at the house at the time). I had clothes for Jarett, my clothes and a few tanks in case I leaked or needed them (didn't wear one until today, just stayed in the hospital gowns, was much easier since they have to check how you are healing) I also had 2 outfits for Easton in there (preemie and 0-3 months) and receiving blankets too. Glad we had the bag I did, because we took the breast pump parts, the extra pads, a bag of laundry, a gift bag that my mom's friend gave us, my mom's little plane and bear as well as all the paperwork the hospital gave us. The SCU nurse than gave us another patient belonging bag with bags of bottles as well, so we came home with a lot of items and that bag was handy to hold it all.

P.S. - something to make sure to buy, lollipops if you are getting an epidural. After I got it, needed something to kill the metallic taste, charms lollipops worked great for this. They will be your best friend. :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a link to a slide show that Jarett put together (10 mins long), only try to open it if you have broadband, it's a lot of photos and if you are on dial-up it will take a longgggggggg time. There is sound, so make sure your sound is on. Enjoy

Easton's Slideshow (http://www.ducklingphoto.com/easton/) username is: Easton, password: 9506

[dzmattie]

Packing - I packed very light for DS - figuring I would only be in the hospital for the standard 2-3 days - now - since I had some complications I was there for 6 days and DH had to keep bringing me more clothes b/c I wasn't comfortable wearing gowns all the time walking around. I wore T-shirts and maternity sweatpants or shorts or BIG nightgowns that I had that were comfortable for nursing. I also leaked alot and went through alot of nursing bras - I will be packing alittle more this time around since we will be be have the c-sec - but probably not too much as I have heard they prefer you wear the gown for the first couple days to check after the section....anyone else find this?

For the RO's - I am interested in hearing your plans for DC #1 - I know we discussed awhile back but now that we are close - what are you planning for labor/delivery? Will your DH stay with you at all in the hospital or go home each night to DC? How much each day to you plan to have DC visit you? Do you want your DC to see baby before any other family?

Our plan is for the c-sec on Oct 5th but I have to be at the hospital at 5:30am :eek: - so my parents will be coming the night before and mom will come with DH and I to the hopital and Dad will stay with DS. Mom will stay with us until we are moved to a room and then will come home to see DS - they will give him a nap and then bring him to the hospital around 3pm - I am hoping I feel alittle better by this time b/c I don't want him to see me completely yucky or miserable. IL's will come after dinner (if they listen which I am insisting on) - DS will go home after an hour or two I imagine....

DH is going to play it by ear - he wants to go home that night so DS doesn't think "oh this baby arrives and I lose both parents" - but if I am not feeling great he will stay with me this night only. Since I am having the baby over Columbus Day weekend - my parents are off for three days which is nice and will just stay as much as we need.

That is our plan - who knows though right??

[Rippy1010]

Question ...

I'm reviewing the birthplan form that BabyCenter has on their website, so that I can ask questions/discuss at today's appointment.

Would you like 24-hour rooming-in with the baby
or
Would you only like to room-in with baby when you are awake?

I haven't been able to decide. Would I like to catch up on some sleep before going home to sleep deprivation, or should I just get used to getting up in the middle of the night while I'm at the hospital?

[She-Ra]

Rooming In: Baby will be definitely rooming with us the entire time, as DS did. I don't want to risk a nurse giving him a bottle. Also, there are so many nurses & staff coming in & out that I didn't get that much sleep anyway, even when DS was sleeping.

RO Labor/Delivery Plan: We are calling my mom & step-dad when I go into labor. They will either meet us at the hospital or come to our house, depending on what time of day it is, and if DS is at home or at school. DS came about 8 hours after my water started breaking, so everyone is concerned I'll go really quickly this time. Of course, my mom is torn between staying with DS or being at the hospital, so we are playing that by ear. My neighbors offered to watch DS also, and my MIL & sister are local, so it really just depends on the timing.

DH will be staying at the hospital with me at night. DS sleeps from 8pm-7am, so he won't really be affected. I'll prob have DH go home & put him down, just so he doesn't feel to neglected.

[Jenzen01]

Hi, all.

Just checking in and trying to catch up on the thread from yesterday.

I had my dr. appointment yesterday afternoon, and all is well. I waited about an hour to see the dr. because they were so backed up, and I had the last appointment of the day. Nice.

I'm measuring about 36 weeks. Baby sounds good. BP was good. I didn't even pay attention to the scale. I'm on a 1-hour-from-the-hospital travel restriction until baby comes. No internals yet. My dr. said he doesn't do them until the very end, and they don't tell much anyway. Darn it! I sort of wanted one. :)

Next appointment is Sept. 19.

He gave me a bunch of sample medication for my allergies. He said at this point in the pregnancy, medication is pretty safe. I'm going to try a nasal spray, which he said pretty much stays localized, anyway.

Jen

[Mommy2ml]

internals-I feel good about getting them myself. Nice to know if I am makig rogress... plus I know of several people who have gone in for regular checks and found out they were dialated to like 4 or 5 and were sent right over to the hospital to have the baby. They were so uncomfy, they had not noticed there was a pattern to it and they were already in early active labor! :eek:

Maplekitty-I saw the doc the day before DD was born and at that point I had made no progress whatsoever. then I woke in labor the next morning LOL You could also be feeling the baby's head dropping down into your pelvis.

Erika-Glad to hear you're home and doing well! I hope little Easton is home with you soon! :)

Midwestern gal-y'know, my butt stuck to the paper yesterday too! LOL

Lochia-Everyone bleeds differently. I bled for a good 2-3 weeks after DD was born and used I think a good 3 pkgs of the overnight heavy with wings pads iirc. I am starting to think that a pkg of Depends might be a good idea :)

Kimber-I would discuss the short of breath and seeing spots and lightheadedness with your doc. It seems I have a fast pulse, and possibility of some other stuff (I will go more detailed below).

Pillows-I am a little ticked to have to bring my own pillows as well, but will just stuff them into a big plastic bag I think...

DC#1 plans-Depending on the timing, DD will be in school/DC for the most part. If the birth goes late orthere are any complications, my parents will pick her up and take her to dinner with them. If she needs to she can stay over with my ILs since they have a spare bed and bedroom for her to sleep in. Rob will not be sleeping over with me. What we did last time we're goign to do again... he will stay with me until baby and I are settled into our room and then he'll head home. The time that happens will determine if he takes Mackie home with him or if she sleeps over with my ILs. The next 2 days she will be in d/c and either Rob or my parents will pick her up and take her to visit us in the hospital. Assuming I go on the day planned for induction - Monday the 25th - I will be headed home on that Wednesday.. so not too much has to be done as Mackie will mostly be in school the majority of that time. The 2nd night Rob will most definitely be home with her for bedtime.

24hr rooming in-Definitely. This hospital supports the boding experience 100%. they do take the baby for a few hours for observation at first, after you have a couple of hours with him... but then unless you specifically request baby stay in the nursery he comes to be with you pretty much the whole time you're both there. That is really how I am most comfortable anyway. I know I don't get much of any sleep in the hospital anyway an dthe early bonding experience is most important to me :)

----------

So I went to see my cardiologist yeserday, just to be sure I am not having any effects from my murmur. He say s all seems fine, except my pulse is running high. I need to drink more water as there is a chance I am a bit dehydrated. Plus, I am to come in next week and get fitted with a halter monitor to wear for 24hrs. He wants to be sure there is nothing to these "spells" of shortness of breath and lightheadedness are not from my heart in any way.

My OB appt went well. Baby is head down and likely to stay that way from here on it. the pain and discomfort I have been feeling is from the baby's head getting lower and lower in the pelvis and is totally normal. Cervix is softening nicely and beginning to dialate, though not measurably yet. I can continue with the EPO each night. She thinks I need to drink more water too, agrees with my cardiologist it's likely mild dehydration causing the issues with my pulse and breathing. So more water it is! I will still go for the halter monitor to be on the safe side though, just in case it's something more.

11 more days of work.17 days till induction day. next appt is still scheduled for 9/14.

[MichelleRenee]

My appt today went fairly well. I gained too much weight again. (8 pounds last month, 9 pounds this month) Never in my life have I had to deal with weighing too much...

They did take an additional urine sample to test for a UTI. I should have the results of that soon.

I had a ton of back pain last night and my groin pain continues. The Dr. told me to take Extra strength Tylenol to deal with that. Hopefully it will help. I am so ready to have this baby!

My next appt is September 29.

[maplekitty]

We had our prenantal class last night, and I learned that you can actually ask to delay the eye ointment they put on baby for atleast 2 hours. This is because those first 2 hous the baby is in a very quiet alert awake stage, and this is a great opportunity to lay skin to skin and look at each other and really start to form your bond. After that they usually go into a dep and usually long sleep (sometimes up to 8 hours) and that would be a better time to put the ointment in. Also learned, from DH, that he's allergic to the active ingredient in that ointment (erythromycin). So I need to ask my doctor if that's a type of allergy that would be passed down, if there is another form of ointment that can be used, or we can pass on the ointment altogether.

QOTD:
Rooming-In - absolutely! I want my baby with me at all times, or under the watchful eye of DH if taken away to the nursery for whatever reason. I don't want baby given a bottle or paci without my consent and I think I'll feel in a very protective nature where I just want her with me. Obviously there are circumstances beyond your control, if the baby needs to be in NICU...but if I have the option I'd like her with me 24 hours.

[Ericka_Jarett]

maple - that's funny that they said that at your class. They put the ointment in Easton's eyes after birth and he was very alert and had his eyes open for a good hour or more after birth. Just something to know.

[KimberDK]

Another QOTD, if it's ok:
Sorry if this was discussed at an earlier time. I am wondering if any of you are using a doula during labor? A had not even considered this - my husband is very supportive and I just figured he'd do a great job of helping me, massaging, encouraging, whatever. But every time a girl in my yoga class delivers, she emails her birth story to the teacher, who then reads it aloud in class. So, by now we have heard a bunch of birth stories - and the yoga girls are a lot more graphic and detailed than the girls in here, so we get a lot of info (sometimes too much, maybe, but good to know). Anyway, it seems like the ones who have doulas (even if they also have a helpful husband) have such a tremendous appreciation for the doula, and always say how much of a difference she made. They describe how the doula knew exactly how to massage the right way to provide counterpressure for the contractions (whatever that means, it sounds helpful), and knew exactly what to do to encourage them to stay focused, to breathe properly, and to push or not push when appropriate. I am suddenly feeling like a doula has the following advantages over just having my husband there: she has been through many, many labors; she is not emotionally invested so she is possibly more likely to stay focused and calm; her sole job is my care (as opposed to the nurses, who are experienced, but dealing with other patients at the same time).

At first I thought maybe having a doula would decrease the intimacy of the birth, like make it less about me and my husband by taking on his duties. But I just read the following on the website of a local doula agency:
A doula can actually bring a couple closer together. The doula makes sure that the father’s needs are met so that he can meet the needs of the laboring mother. By having a doula, he can participate at his own comfort level without having to remember “everything” that he and mom learned in childbirth class. Studies show that fathers also experience fear and tension during the mother’s labor. A doula’s presence and knowledge can break the fear-tension-pain cycle for the mother and father. Many times fathers worry that they are not doing enough or the right thing. A doula helps him to care for and support his partner by giving suggestions, providing encouragement or giving needed breaks during a long labor. One study showed that 60% of fathers that have taken childbirth education classes become mostly a spectator, as they become overwhelmed with the surroundings and events. The feeling of insecurity and lack of knowledge of what is happening takes its toll on both parents.


And some of the stuff they do, according to the same website (they had a long list of services, this is just a few that stood out to me):

Providing continuous support during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. Unlike medical and nursing staff, we do not change shifts at any time.
A few of the comfort measures that we use are: aromatherapy (fragrant oils and lotions) to enhance relaxation and well-being; breathing techniques to maintain adequate oxygenation of mother and baby and to relieve tension; hydrotherapy to relax muscles and increase buoyancy which relieves stress and music therapy which balances the mind-body connection.
Assisting the mother and her partner to create the birth experience they want and desire!
go out for food for the partner
get extra pillows, blankets, ice chips for the mother
take pictures
advocate on the mother’s behalf. By this, doula’s do not impose their own choices on the mother; instead, they educate them about the risks and benefits and help the mother to convey her wishes and desires to her health care providers



So...I am feeling like all this sounds pretty good, but I don't feel sure about what to do. I asked DH and he said the labor is all about me and he supports whatever I want and choose (good boy!...but not helpful in decision-making). I asked my mom (who is going to be present at my labor) who said "What are you even thinking about? Go for it!" I asked a friend who said "I would want to share labor with just my husband".

What do you all think? Anyone doing this or any ROs have done it? Any thoughts about it?

[Ericka_Jarett]

QOTD - I definately wouldn't have wanted a doula. My husband was super supportive and helpful to me while I was in labor. He felt bad he couldn't do more for me, but the only thing he could have done was have the baby for me. He got wet washcloths for me without me even asking for them and kept refreshing them. I had the nurse and my doctor there as well as hubby and that was plenty. The doctor talked to me as I was in between pushes and the nurse was mainly just the other person aside from hubby to hold my leg up and back. I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. Too many people in the room is no good either, because if God forbid we had an emergency and I had to get out of the room fast for a C, it's more people to have to get moved out of the way, during precious mins.

I hear they can be helpful at times, but for me, nothing short of someone else taking over the labor pains was going to be of much help to me. I breathed how I wanted to help myself get through the pain, hubby just kept encouraging me. There was just something about it just being so few people during my labor and delivery that just made it so intimate feeling.

Hope you find what is best for yourself. For me it was just hubby and I with 2 hospital staff.

[bunnybeth]

Ericka Glad you and the baby are doing well. He is just such a cutie. Hope you have fun at your shower this weekend!

Rooming-in I'm planning on having the baby in my room whenever he can be. I figure I wouldn't get great sleep anyways, and I want to be able to start getting used to his schedule while I'm still in place with nurses just a call away.

Internals Just curious, what exactly do they do for the internals? I've gotten my cervix checked a couple of times already (every time I had the spotting) and while it was uncomfortable during, it never caused me cramping/pain afterwards at all, so I'm wondering if an internal exam is more than just a quick cervix check.

Doulas I think having a doula sounds like it could be great. But, between me being very uncomfortable around strangers, and the cost of having one, I don't think it's going to be something I'll do myself.

My goal for today is to try to figure out my maternity leave exactly. I have my plan (last day of work Oct 6) but I have some questions to ask before everything is finalized. Only about 4 weeks of work left, wow.

My shower is tomorrow, so that should be fun. Mother-in-law arrives tonight and will be staying with us for the weekend. Time sure is flying!

[Michelle]

Rooming In: We actually don't have a choice. If everything goes well and there are no complications, she will be rooming in with us. The hospital that we are giving birth in got rid of the nursery 7 years ago and has been rooming in since then.

Doulas - Nah, I considered it but my DH should be pretty supportive. Besides, if I'm emotional and in pain I won't feel guilty yelling at him for no reason! :)

Internals - I have an appointment next week when I'll be 36 weeks. I'm kind of hoping to get one since I'll be getting the swab test anyway. Now I'm a little weary after hearing how painful they are!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I'm starting to feel more pelvic pressure, especially when I get up from sitting down. Everything I've read says that I'll be feeling less movement from baby because she is running out of room. Not my baby. She is still one busy bee! She still likes to get some good jabs at me in!

Is anybody getting nervous about driving? I was sitting at a traffic light on the way home from the grocery store last night and felt a sharp pain in my stomach. It went away but it was painful for a little while. That definitely made me think about driving! I'm thinking that when I'm on the freeway, I'll start playing it safe and drive in the right lane just in case I ever have to pull over!

Have a great weekend everybody! For those of you having showers, have fun! :)

[Mommy2ml]

internals-It is just a cervix check. Sometimes when you are later on in pg your cervix gets more sensitive, so it can cause some cramping and such afterwards for some.

doula-I think having one would have helped me immensely the 1st time around, but not only was it cost prohibitive for us, but I also wanted it to be just between me and DH and only necessary medical people. This time it is still cost prohibitive, but I think DH will be more of a help and I will be more aware of what I need to ask him to do and when. I think if your goal is to do a drug-free, low to no intervention natural birth, then a doula can help you make that happen if you can afford one. If you plan for an epidural or other drugs, then it's likely not even worth it anyway IMHO.

[Rippy1010]

Re: the internals ...
I have to disclaimer my previous statements (since I was one of the ones mentioning how much pain I experienced) by saying ... I have always had problems in this "area". I usually always experience more pain than "the norm" for any type of penetration at all. Even DTD can be quite unpleasant for me at times. I asked her if I experienced a normal amount of pain, and if my "recovery time" after the internal seemed longer than normal. She said that it was a little worse than normal, and so next time she would try using a LOT of gel to see if it's better.



My doctor's appointment today ... first, had me aggravated. I waited an hour before I was seen, and then the appointment lasted about 8 minutes. :mad: :rolleyes: I'm going to try to get my last few appointments to be first thing in the morning, I think, so that they don't have time to get so backed up! Anyway ... we discussed the birthplan, and she said everything that I requested sounded fine and there wouldn't be any problems with anything. We skipped the internal this time, but I'll definitely be having one next Friday. We discussed the increase in swelling (because now my legs AND feet swell very badly from just above my knee and all the way down ... the skin is all shiny from being stretched so tight ... and also when I get up in the morning, my hands are swelled to twice their size). She said that since there is no protein in my urine, and my BP is still perfect, it's no cause for concern. But, if it's causing great discomfort, I might start to think about stopping work soon. She said baby seems to feel about to be a little over 7lbs right now. And my GBS was negative, also. Let's see ... I think that was about it. I told her that I was using large pieces of my mucus plug earlier in the week, and she was pleased with that and said "oh, well hopefully we will learn something at next week's internal, if you make it that long." LOL! I told her, "just so you know, I'm ready to have this baby any time after Sunday because that's my shower." :p She said that was fine ... you're full term today, so you'd be fine if you ended up going tomorrow!


Re ~ Doula I don't know why I thought this; but for some reason I thought it was some sort of religious ritual to have this "doula" present. LMAO at myself. It sounds like it may be helpful, but even if I had known more about this beforehand I probably would still just opt for hubby and medical staff ... mainly because we don't have a lot of money. Plus ... I'm going for the drugs the whole way. :p

[MidwesternGal]

QOTD Rooming In: I think I'll have the baby in the room unless I am sleeping. The nurse (head OB nurse) who ran the prenatal class said that to help us moms recover, it's a good idea to get a lot of sleep while the nurses are there to help out, and she said they LOVE to babysit! :) So I might have the baby in the nursery at night (brought to me for BFing) and maybe for an hour or two in the afternoon. I want to be as rested and recovered once we get home, to help with keeping away PPD (my doc and I think I may be a bit higher risk for developing it).
______________________
Nothing much else. All my customers are asking why I'm quitting (apparently I look either just fat or else they think I'm going to pop tomorrow! LOL)!

Oh, and CRAVINGS have set in, oh my goodness. Chinese orange chicken with a side of pancakes and a corn dog and a grilled burger sound FAB right now. . . . and yes, I'd eat all that together at the same time!! LOL.

Oh one other thing. Why is it when people ask you how many kids you have/plan on having, and you say "the plan is for just one," they flip out and act like I'm nuts or tell me "I'll change my mind." Um, hello, I know my mind better than they do. . . . not to mention, when I find out they have 4 or 6 kids or whatever, I don't tell them it's too many and they'll "change their minds!" It's just frustrating.

[Mommy2ml]

Rippy-Sounds like you have vulvodynia (sp?) I had that during and following my first pg and it sucked big time! There's not a ton they can do about it, but manybe afte rthe baby is born if it still occurs your doc can suggest some treatment options?

midwestern-people need to mind their own business! I can't tell you how many people have said "Oh! One of each? Now you're done right?" :P Once in a while I toss out a comment like "Oh, I thought we might have a tie breaker...." that sure shuts em up! LOL :p

[maplekitty]

midwesterngal - thats funny because I get the opposite! I want 4 kids, DH wants 3...so we'll see how many we actually end up having. But when I tell people this they look at me like I'm some crazy person. Since when does having 3 or 4 kids equate to being a crazy baby making machine? Okay, maybe 5 or 6 is not "normal" these days...but what's wrong with me wanting a big family? FWIW, I never say anything to my friends who only have 1, that's their choice and it is becoming more and more the "norm" to have one or stop at 2. I was an only child and it was lonely, so I have dreams of huge family dinners and tons of grandkids when I'm older. Certainly I'm no Duggar, and we wont be having 16 kids!!

[Mommy2ml]

maplekitty-I had heard that 3 is the "new 2" more and more people having 3 instead of 2 kids as it "used to be" I would love to have more kids after this one... but Rob's set on just 2... but we've agreed to wait 3-5 years and see how we feel then, since I like this spacing we're doing between DD and DS of almost 4 yrs and if we were to have another one we would not start trying for at least that long again anyway :) I think it's just odd so many people butt into others' business like that though either way! :P

[Jenzen01]

rippy - I hear you on waiting. I asked my dr. when the best time for appointments is, and he said at the beginning of each half of the day. I guess they usually clear up their schedule during lunch so that by the 1 p.m. appointments, things are back on schedule.

rooming in - I'll use the nursery when needed. I like the idea of rooming in, but the reality is it's the last chance you're going to get to heal and sleep. As soon as you get home, they're aren't any nurses to help. So, I'll take advantage of them when I can. :)

[MichelleRenee]

Rooming in: I intend to have Tristan in the room with me at all times. It's not a "security" issue with me somuch as I just know I won't want to let that little guy out of my sight. (Oh, who am I kidding? Mike will be holding him the whole time. I will probably have to wrestle the baby away just to breastfeed!)

MidwesternGal, I hate when people say "you'll change your mind." It drives me carzy. As of now we only want one and people look at us like we are aliens when we say that. Sure, we might change our minds later, but as of NOW that is our plan.

[KimberDK]

MichelleRenee & MidwesternGal - Hmm, that's interesting. We also kind of think we might just want this one, but unlike you, I have really gotten no reactions to that. Maybe it's cause if people know me, they probably know better than to tell me I'll change my mind, because I do tend to know my own mind. Or maybe it's because I'm not saying we definitely just want one, I just say we might not want more, so maybe people don't have much of a reaction to a "maybe". It is just plain dumb for people to judge or make comments about this kind of stuff. How in the world could they possibly think that they know better than you do how many children you want? It's a pretty personal decision, and very individual, isn't it?

Mommy2ml - That's a good point that the doula probably is a lot more useful if the goal is to avoid pain interventions. I do not plan to go natural, although if it winds up working that way, of course that's a bonus...not that I'm actually expecting it to. I am not opposed to an epidural, so if I want one, I'll take it. I guess I just feel scared as the date gets closer and I want to cover as many bases as I can...like if an epi is good and a doula is good, then both must be great...but you're right that it's probably overkill.

Rippy - I'm not sure what you thought a doula was, but it's funny that you thought it was religious. It is a pretty stupid name for it, actually. In a nutshell, basically, it's just a silly word for a professional labor coach.

[marathongirl]

rooming in - yes, I'll keep K2 with me as much as possible. I did with DD. Even though I only got about 3 hours sleep during the 48 hours I was in the hospital, I couldn't bear to have her out of my sight.

Not much else going on with me. Now we're really just waiting for K2 to make his/her debut. :) :eek:

[dzmattie]

Hi Ladies -

My c-section is going to be October 5th....hope everyone has a nice weekend....

[Ericka_Jarett]

Had my shower, we got very blessed. Lots of sleepers, few outfits, cradle swing, bath tub, highchair, diaper champ, couple gift cards, a check from my ex-boss that will pay for the crib with some left over, stuffed animals, toys, frames, different items I registered for, onesies, diapers, wipes and bath products. I think a few people still are going to give us gifts as they were unable to attend today. I have plenty of laundry to do tomorrow, trying to get it all washed before we moved so it can go into the dresser and closet. Got a preemie outfit, so going to wash that and take it tomorrow hopefully. Figure we might as well let him wear it now since when he comes home he probably won't be in it. My ex-boss got a super cute outfit that has long pants, onesie and a little jacket, think that will be his coming home outfit now. His cord will mostly likely be off before he can come home so no need to worry about that.

Easton is up to 40cc's now and his weight went up about 1.5 oz, so he is now 5lbs 3.5oz. Pumping is coming along, little slow, but I only got to pump in the AM and than this morning, so going to try and get more pumping in so we can get him drinking breastmilk instead of the stinky formula.

Hoping to get word back on Monday about the apartment, so that we can start moving items over there and be able to have Easton go there instead of to my brother's.

[Rippy1010]

Ericka ~ I'm glad your shower went well! Sounds like you made out like a bandit. :p ;) It's a nice feeling to be surrounded by people who love us and are so supportive. I hope you get news soon on the apartment ... good luck! I can't wait for you to bring your little man home!




Our childbirth class was yesterday, and it was just okay. The deep breathing was helpful, but the "hee hee hee" short breathing makes me lightheaded. LOL!!! Of course, I kept hearing from DH through all of the "coach" videos "this is going to be a lot of work. I didn't think I was going to have to do all of THAT." I kept giving him dirty looks thinking "oh, right, like YOU'RE the one getting all of the work to do. I have to push a watermelon out of my hoo-ha!" LMAO! Some of the issues brought up during the videos had me questioning a few of my original birth plan decisions, so they prompted me to take the instructor aside at the end, and ask some additional questions ... so that was good. Unfortunately, I think doing it at 37 weeks made it a little uncomfortable ... since we have to get down on mats for the breathing/relaxation exercises - yikes! Everything hurt, I couldn't get in a good position AT ALL!

Today is my shower. I'm getting really excited! Except, realizing that I may not have anything to wear. :rolleyes:

[Ericka_Jarett]

Got word back about the apartment, he said as long as nothing super negative comes of the past credit issues for Jarett, we have the apartment and can sign the lease on Thursday and move in on Friday or Saturday. YEAH!!!!!

[KimberDK]

Ericka - So much great news from you! Your shower sounds like it was great and you got so much terrific stuff. And now Easton is eating more, and it sounds like the apartment is falling into place as well. Great weekend for you! It's truly fantastic to hear so much good news.

Rippy - Yeah, I didn't love the breathing exercises either. I can tell you, if my DH dared to complain about how much work this will be for him, I don't even know what I would do but it wouldn't be pleasant!! When the time comes, I'm sure Jeff will do fine...it's just a lot of info at once when you're in class.

[maplekitty]

Ericka - glad to hear Easton is gaining like a champ!! When do you think he'll be able to come home? Is it at a certain weight or by how much he's eating? How do they determine that?
Your shower sounded great! Lots of great stuff!!!

[Ericka_Jarett]

They want him to be eating 60cc's (2oz) by mouth, right now he is at 40cc's but that is mostly tube and about 10-20cc's by mouth, when they take the time with him. They have a stupid 30 mins to finish his bottle rule. He is a preemie, his tummy is the size of a pea and they want him to have a little more than an ounce at a feeding. I am hoping that by the weekend he can come home and it will be to the new place, so it's extra exciting. Since